From panels to demonstrations, events can be surprisingly easy to pull off, particularly when using AIDemocracy resources (see our website, www.aidemocracy.org!). Making actions effective—so that they generate attention, build your campaign’s momentum, and strengthen your group—requires more attention to detail. Remember to work by specific, achievable, and measurable goals when planning, and aim to educate, promote action, and engage in political negotiation.
Planning out how to approach the opportunity for change is almost as important as the change one is seeking. This involves identifying potential activities and pursuits that your team or community can undertake to work towards the goal. By pinpointing issues and conditions that would be conducive to mobilization, your team will be better able to plan for potential organizing activities.
- Make it interesting – First and foremost, events should be unique and engaging, EVEN if they’re educational and seemingly ordinary. For conferences, panels, and speakers, choose a new approach to your topic. Try looking at the big picture, as this often lends a new perspective and opens the opportunity for new partnerships. For example, how do AIDemocracy’s four issue areas (Global Health, Global Development, Global Environment, and Global Peace & Security) interplay in your issue?
- Make it relevant – To move event attendees from being aware to taking action, your conference, lecture, rally, or quad demonstration must have a point, an “ask,” a petition, or a follow-up project. Put your cause in the context of your campaign, current events, and politics. Set up a table at the back of the room and give students something concrete to do, resources to learn more, and an opportunity to get more involved in your group.
- Make it visible – The more exciting and photographable, the better. Schedule speakers and panels in outdoor or trafficked areas. At rallies and demonstrations, use banners, paint, human symbols/structures, huge props, and eye-grabbing costumes (set up costumed skits or fake battles between characters!).
- Publicize, publicize, publicize – Use all your resources: listserv emails (your own, partner groups’, and professors’), posters, chalk, class raps, tabling, Facebook, word of mouth, campus calendars, ads, letters to the editor in campus newspapers, and anything else you can think of.
- Get the media there – Use the Media Mini-Toolkit in the Resources section to get your event in the campus (or local!) newspaper.
Diversify – When planning your next event, choose something new so you draw in a new crowd. Be sure it build off your previous action and thus forwards your campaign. Education, action, and political negotiation are all campaign pillars. Try speakers, panels, town halls, brown bag lunches, films, direct actions, concerts, community service projects, roundtable discussions with professors, open mic nights, lobbying, and fun local events.
